Thermostatic valve with multiple override



Nov. 7, 1950 J. E. DUBE Erm.

THERMOSTATIC VALVE WITH MULTIPLE OVERRIDE Filed June 9, 1945 Patented Nov. 7, 1950 ffUNirEDSTATESVPATENT oFFlcE. I

THERMosTATIo vALv WITH MULTIPLE ovERRlDE John E. Dube, Chesterfield, Franklin M. MacDougall, Kirkwood, and George D. Bower, University City, Mo., assignors to Alco Valve Company, University Cit'yM0., a corporation of Missouri Application June 9, 1945, Serial No. 598,494

17 Claims. (Cl. 236-92) valve control, as used in refrigeration, plus control of the limits of condensing pressure to a predetermined maximum value, and control of the limits of the temperaturel of the refrigerated medium, such as the air, to a predetermined minimum value. It is a further object to provide such control wherein the'pres'su're response isA from the valve inlet pressure and the temperature response is through a separate bulb and tubing, such as capillary tubing.

From thevforegoing, it may be stated to bea' broad object of this invention to provide a refrigeration control that will effect loading of the evaporator to the maximum capacity during normal operating conditions, but which, in the event ofV sustained overload that.l would overheat the.

compressor motor, will limit the load in response to the result in increasing condensing pressure, together with means that will prevent the temperature of the refrigerated medium from dropping below a predetermined value. Itis a further object to provide the foregoing wherein the limiting cf` the minimum temperature is effected by starving the evaporator, which, in turn, decreases the evaporating temperature, thereby reducingv the total heat transfer but increasing the ratio of latent to sensible heat transfer. As a result, it may be stated as'an object ofthe invention to provide a control that keeps the system in continuous operation through the entire load range, providing maximum capacity under heavy demand and maximum dehumidification under light demand. n l

It is a `more specific object of the invention to provide a primary control for the refrigerant, with an -override unit using refrigerant for its energy source to effect an overriding control of the main valve regardless. of` the conditions demanded by itsprimary control means. It is a particular object to provide the override in the form of a pilot valve that will-modulate the override condition in response to the temperature and pressure conditions which it is-desired to use .as control factors.

It is a 'further Object tOlJIovide a dual override device on a valve, which override device is responsive to limits of pressure and temperature without interference of the pressure and temperature means by each other. Further, it is an object to provide dual override control of this' kind, op-

erating on a single valve, that is effective despite variation inthe range of temperatures or pressures to which it is subjected. A further object is 1 to provide such a control with adjustments of the critical values of temperature and pressure, especially where the adjustments are accessible to ref mote control. l;

A particular object is to provide such a control wherein the power for operating the main cut-oil? is obtained from a first power means operated by line pressures, and separate from a second f ,control power means that is directly responsive `to the temperature and pressure conditions, with J an arrangement whereby the first power means always maintains an operating relationship to the i second despite variations in the range of line pressures.

Further objects will appear from the descript tion to follow.

In the drawings: ,Y Fig. l is a transverse section through the main ,valve, the pilot valve, and theremote control;

and

Il, which is mounted together with the thermal valve control. There is alsova third element inkv the form of a remote control mechanism I2.

Assuming the device to be used in connectioni with a refrigeration control, there is an inlet I5- coming from the condenser or some like part of' the refrigeration system. This inlet passes into a valve housing generally indicated at I6, from which an outlet I1 is provided to lead to the evapv orator.

bottom of the main housing. This bottom is closed byY a lower cover plate 20 seated by a iiange 2l onto the main housing I6, whereby to provide a space 22 in the form of a valve inlet chamber The insert 24 is provided with a. key 25 engage-1 able within a slot in the main housing I3 to prevent rotation of the insert.

The insert has a bore 21 extending vertically" This bore has a.

transverse outlet passage 28 that registers witnup from the valve seat 23.

lanother passage 29 within the housing I6, into which the main evaporator outlet I 1 is fitted.

The valve I8 is formed with a valve stem 32 that extends up through a continuation of theV bore 21 within the insert 24.

Above the insert 24, there is a valve rod and compression spring support 35, having a cut-out in its lower surface to receive and to hold the top of. the. insert 24 as shown. Thismember 35 is also flanged toY nt over a ridge on the top of the. main valve housing I6. The member 35', in

turn, is clamped. onto the main valve housing threaded about the external threads of a sleeve member 51. This sleeve member is slipped around the upstanding cylindrical part of the support 35, and at its bottom rests upon the lower enlarged part of the support 35. The lower part of the sleeve 51 has: a gear integral therewith, andi irrtermeshed with alvpinion'l' provided on the inner end of a rotatable adjusting shaft 62. This adjusting shaft passes through suitable packing and is supported in a bored projection 63 extending outwardly from the thermal casing I6 by a thermal unit casing 36 which fits over the flange on the member 354 anddownto the' flange-on the housing I6. Suitable bolts are used to hold these three parts' together, andi they, in turn, clamp the insert 2.4 into place.

It. will be seen that the valve stem 32l projects upwardly through the support 35, where it passes through a packing gland 31. The upper end of the valve stem is threaded and receives a anged f nut 38 disposed within a cup-shaped spring holding member 39. A coil spring 40 is disposed within the holding member 39 and acts downwardly uponthe Vflange of the cap 38. ,lititsjupper end,

the coil spring. 40 acts against a cap 4l, theedges of which are turned over the flanges o f the lcup 39.110 secure these parts together. Thefcap- 4l has: an upstanding cylindrical flange 42 through the top thereof. The opening in the flange gives access to the top of the nut 38 which is provided' with a slot to receive an adjusting tool, and the flange forms an abutment means, as will appear.

The nange 42 is disposed to abut thelower side of a buffer plate 45. This buffer plate is in the form of a skirted cylindrical disc cooperable with a supporting member 46. The latter is also in the form of a somewhat sloping disc with' an internal cylindrical skirt threaded to be screwedV into a corresponding internally threaded opening in the upper part of the casing 36, and an external diaphragm receiving. skirt. The internal Yskirt of the buffer plate interts that of the lower diaphragm support 46, for guided Vertical reciprocation, the lower limit of which is iixed by the engagement of the buffer plate against the support.

A diaphragm 49 extends across the upper face of the buier plate and is turned down around the outer skirt of the lower diaphragm holding member 46. It is sealed and held in positionv by a cap member 59, having a depending. outer flange which isA permanently secured in sealing relationship to the edge ofV thediaphragm. The cap member 59 is shaped to provide, above the diaphragm, apressure chamber 5I. A capillary tube 5.2 leads into thispressure chamber, and, at its other end, is connected with a thermal bulb 53 adapted to contain a volatile fluid.

The flange on the cup member 39 associated with the top of the valve stem 32 is adapted to receive the upper end of a superheat coil spring flange on a flanged, adjustable nut 56 which is 36. A plug 64 is externally threaded to nt into internal threads in the bore'of the projection 63, whereby thisplug holds the packing in proper place and. provides a.. bearing for the outer end of the shaft 62. The shaft projects through the plug; and isslotted at its outer end to receive an adjusting tool. A cap 66 is threaded onto the projection 63 to protect, the mechanism from dust and from inadvertent displacement, and to prevent escape of any gas that may pass the packing.

The thermal' casing 36 fhas-a tting 13 extending therefrom for connection into the evaporator at some point. The lower housing cover memberV 29 is provided with a well 15, out in from the top thereof and forming' a part ofthe valve inlet chamber, into which Vthe head1 I8 ofi the valve extends. this well 15 isa stem 16 that is formed aspart of a bellows head, as will be shown. This stem has an adjustable abutment screw/11 on its upper end that is adapted toY abut and operate thevalve I8 under certain conditions. Suitable packi ing 18 is provided for this stem 16.

The stem 1-.6` is apart of a bellows head 80, an 'f operating bellowslnbeing secured at its bottom end to this bellows head 89. The upper end of the bellows 8| isv sealed tothe lower surface ofV an externally threaded projection on the bottom vided. with a downwardly extending. port 84, having, a strainer therein, this port communicating with the outerv bellows chamber 83. The bellows head 89 is provided with an insert 81 having a. constricted port 88 therethrough that terminates at its outer end in a valve seat 89. At its inner end, the port registers with a transverse port 96 that leads to the interior of the bellows. There is an outlet for the interior of the bellows in the form of a port 9| that passes through the upper bellows head formed as part of the lower cover member 20, and leads to a constricted port 92 in an insert 93. This insert is screwed by a kerf on its outer end into an internally threaded hole extending inwardly from the side of the lower cover 20. The outer end of this hole is closed by a removable screw 95. Between the outer end of the insert 93 and the inner end of the screw 95, a vertical passage 9bA leads to a passage 91 in the main body member I6 that communicates with the. outlet passage 29 thereof. A y Y The bellows is adapted to be operated in response to differences in internal and externalv pressures acting thereon. These pressuresl are regulated by a valve I'ncoacting with the valve seat 89 to control the ow of fluid from the inlet through the bellows to the outlet. The valve I0!! is mounted upon a valve stem IUI slidable in a- Projecting up through the bottom of z vertically disposed sleeve |02. This sleeve, in turn, is slidable through an opening in a fixed disc |03, the sleeve I 02 having a shoulder to limit its upward movement with respectl to this disc. ring |05 that is permanently united to the interior of the end of the bellows casing 82.

The sleeve |02 below the fixed disc |03 ts within a cylindrical well |01 in a closure cap |08 interfitting into and attached to the ring |05. A sealing washer I 09 is secured across the top of the well |01 and loosely surrounds the sleeve |02. It forms an upper head for a pilot bellows I I0, to which it is secured. The other end of the pilot bellows is sealed to the end of the sleeve |02. Thus the well |01 forms an outer pressure chamberfor the bellows 0. The interior of the pilot bellows communicates through the washer |09 and a port |I| in the fixed disc |03 to the outer chamber 83 of the operating bellows 8|.

The sleeve |02 also carries, at its upper end above the fixed disc |03, a cross.head II3 having two oppositely disposed outstanding posts I |4 and |I5 thereon. These posts engage the outer ends of a pair of lever` arms II6 and II1 that are pivoted onto standards ||8 and ||9. The two standards are flxed at their lower ends into the fixed disc |03, whereby they d o not move with movement of the cross head I3. The inner ends of the two levers ||6 and I1 engage within notches |20 and I2I on the valve stem |0I, whereby they may rock in the notches but not be displaced therefrom. It may be predicted that up and down movement of the cross head I I3, caused by vertical movement of the sleeve |02, will rock the two levers |I6 and ||1 about -their connection with the posts I8 and I9, so as to operate the valve stem |0I vertically. -'A coil spring I 23 surrounds the valve stem I 0|and is compressed between the lower ange 'forming the notches |20 and I 2| and the crossfhead. This spring urges the valve |00 up and the cross head down, and thereby keeps the valve in positions determined by the cross head andthe pins ||4 and |I5.

A capillary or like tube |28 is secured into the head |08 and opens into the well |01 at the outside of the pilot bellows I|0. This capillary leads to the remote control mechanism I2, which may be located wherever convenient.

The remote control mechanism I2 includes a thermostat bulb |32 in the formof a coil. One end of this coil is connected by a iitting |33 into a cup |34. This cup is supported by an internally threaded ring |35 that is united to a cup member |36, the upper end of which isattached permanently to a dial ring |31. The dial ring is secured to some suitable support |38 which may be part of an air duct conveying return air to the evaporator coils. The attachment is made by screws |39, which also attach a bezel ring |40 above the dial ring.

Within the cup |34, a bellows I 42 is disposed. It is attached at its upper end t0 a Washer |43 which is sealed at its outer edges to the cup |34. A plug |46 is threaded into the ring |35 and projects upwardly through the bottomv of the cup |36. The plug has an internally threaded bore through it which receives an adjusting screw I 45 that bears against a lower.- bellows head |41 that is sealed to the lower end of the bellows |42. The upper end of the screw |45 receives an adjusting wheel |50 which teeth around its periphery to engage with a'detent I5| that is attached about the projection of the plug |46 The disc |03 is held by screws |04 to av through the cup I 36. The wheel I 50 preferably nected. The cup |55 forms part of a pressure- It is sup-- ported on a cylindrical spring casing |56 that is responsive displacement chamber.

inserted into and secured with the plate |38.

A pressure head |51 projects down into the cup |55 and also, at its upper end, projects above the cup where it has a spring abutment head element |58. The lower end of the head |51 is united in sealing relationship with the lower end of a bely lows I 60. The upper end of this bellows is sealed to a washer |6I that surrounds the member |51 but is not in contact therewith. By this means, the cup |55 provides a fluid receiving chamber |62 outside the bellows |60, and the interior of the bellows is in communication with the spring casing |56.

The spring casing |56 encloses a coil spring |64 that abuts at its lower end upon the head |58 of the stud |51. The upper end of this spring is compressed against a disc that has a conical depression |66 in the center thereof to engage and automatically center with the point on an adjusting screw |61. The adjusting screw is threaded into a removable head |68 that is externally threaded to be inserted into the upper end of the casing |56, which is provided with `a shoulder to limit the downward movement of the head |68. It will be seen that this head has tool receiving indentations whereby it may be inserted, adjusted or removed.

As it is normally desirable to prevent change of the setting of this plug |68, it is covered by a second plug |69 threaded also into the top of the spring casing |56. The spring |64, by the foregoing construction, exerts a downward force upon the bellows. The casing |34, the coil I 32, the well |62, the tube |28 and the outer chamber of the pilot bellows I i0 are all completely lled with a liquid that does not vaporize at the normal temperatures of operation.V

At the time of the assembly of the unit I2, the plug |68 is screwed all the way down against its stop. Then the screw |61 is screwed down until a spring load equal to the maximum setting desired is obtained. Then the screw |61 is locked to the plug I 68 by soldering or other means. Thereafter, temperature adjustment is obtained by rotating the plug |68 to provide pressure cutoff points lower than the maximum for which the unit is set.

Operation The operation of the device is as follows:

First, it will be assumed that the mechanism is operating in accordance with conventional con- Stant superheat thermal valve conditions in a refrigeration system. Under such circumstances, the bulb 53 will normally be located to respond to temperatures at the outlet of the evaporator. The outlet 13 leading into the thermal housing 36 will be connected to some point in the outlet pressure line to which the thermal valve is to respond. Under these connections, the diaphragm 49 will be acted on above by the vapor pressure produced from the bulb 53 in response to evaporator outlet temperature. This gas pressure will be opposed by the .force of the coil spring 55 acting below the diaphragm, and also by the gas pressure introduced through the external equalizer inlet 13. As a result, the diaphragm 49 will 'exerted by the coil spring 55.

7 be positionedA in response to predetermined superheat and,v will regulate the position of the main valve ISto maintain a constant degree of superheat in the evaporator outlet.

The upper cup assembly 39 is maintained against the buffer plate 45, which, in turn, is maintained against the lower'surface of the diaphragmll'by the coilspring 55. Hence the cup assembly' 39 travels `with `the diaphragm. Its downwardmovements are transmitted through the. internal coil spring 4D to the flanged nut 38 which is attached to the valve stem 32. Hence, in the absence of some upward force on the valve stem exceeding the force of the coil spring 4I), the valve stem and the valve I8 will move directly with movements of the diaphragm. Upward movement of the diaphragm will always be accompanied byrmovements of the valve, because thev cup member bears directly on the flange 38 ofthe nut attached to the upper end of the valve stem 32..

The liquid refrigerant enters through the inlet I5-andpasses bythe passage I 9 to the inlet valve chamber 22.Y rihence it flows past the Valve I8 which. usually is employed as an expansion valve, into the chamber 21 on the outlet side of the valve. The refrigerant, under reduced pressure, flows `from that chamber through the port 28, the passage 29, into the evaporator line Il'. The

amount of refrigerant thus permitted to flow is determined by the valve I8 which is positioned by the diaphragm 49, so that the refrigerant will maintain. constant superheat in the evaporator.

,This superheat value, at which the valve operates, may be adjusted by adjusting the force This is accomplished by rotating the adjusting screw 52, and thereby rotating its gear 6I which meshes with the teeth. B on the sleeve 5l. `The outer nut 55 is non-rotatably mounted within the casing 36, so that the rotation of the sleeve moves the nut 5,6. up vor down, as the case may be, to vary the initial compression of the spring 55, and hence tofvary its forces.

The overriding control I I is designed to maintain the .pressure of the refrigerant entering the control within maximum limits, and to maintain the temperature produced by the system within minimum limits.

It will ybe seen that the operating bellows BI is always subjected, on its outside, to inlet pressure, and is always subjected, on its interior, to outlet pressure. Inlet pressure always acts on the interior of the pilot bellows I I 0. The exterior of the pilot bellows is always subjected to the liquid pressure in the thermal unit system.

The operating bellows 8| is positioned as a function of the internal and external pressures acting on'it. The external pressure tends to contract it against the internal pressure, which, with the inherent spring effect of the bellows, tends to expand it. If the pilot valve It@ `be assumed as closed, and the main valve I 3 be opened, then the force of the inlet pressure will e valve seat to-vrapproachthe valve l again, throttling. theiiow through the constriction 8 8, and reducing interiorpressure. The `bellows will find a position of equilibrium with respect to*v vclose to the pilot valve I00,vregardless of the particularinlet and outlet pressures across the main valve I8, and .regardless of the position of thev main valve, between extremes of movements permitted the several parts. This results from the .fact that the pilot valve merely regulates the ratio between flow intov the bellows 8| through the constriction-88 andthe flow from the bellows through theoutlet vconstriction 92. This fact that ltheseat 8 9 remains near to the .valve IBD is employed asv a .mean s to effect operations in response to movements ofthe valve.

Thezarrangementalso insures ample power through a substantial rangeof dista-nce, for the operation of the overriding Acut-off to close the.

main valve I8. Thispower vis derived from the refrigerant itself,

Since, in operation, the operating bellows 8i will remain near to the pilot valve |08 to maintain equilibrium, relativelyE small movements of .that valve will cause movement of the bellows. lThe pilot valve is operatedgby the pilot bellows II, which is subjected on one side to the inlet.'

refrigerant pressure, and on the other .to the pressure ofthe liquid filling the thermal system. As this liquid is` nonvolatilewithinthe operating range, it is non-compressible, and variations in inlet pressure will'not aifeet it.

During normal ope-ration, :the medium` being refrigerated, such as. air, will remain above la predetermined minimum Y temperature adjacent the coils. .Should this air temperature decreasev below such value, the system would be acting at an excessive productive rate.

AAs the temperature around the coil I32gap f preaches this predetermined minimum, the ther.-v

mal liquid will be reduced-in volume proper-tiem ately, and .theliovuid pilot bel-lows l I5 will be'exf panded, lowering-the sleeve-m2 within the chamber Il. This'will -lowerthe cross head H3 andl with the valveA 589, under the viniiucnce ci the'l coil spring E23. 1 Y When the pilot valve I5@ moves upwardly, it

f approaches the seat 3&3,l throttling gas ow therethrough. This decreasesfthe pressure-with-v ISD continues torise, and thebellows collapsesA vAfter apredetermined amount of up further. ward movement of the bellewaythe screw 'VI will contactthe valve i8, and begin to throttle it.: The .main valve` rais moved upward despite the expanded,conditionofthe diaphragm d'5 by.-

All ofthe power. derives from the Vreirigerant itself.

Should the starving of the evaporator, by throttlin'g of the valve |8, not produce a cessation of the reduction of air temperature, the latter will finally reach a minimum value. At this point, kthe bellows H will expand to such a degree that the operating bellows l8| closes the main valve I8, until the air temperature rises.

If at any time the refrigerant inlet pressure should rise above a desired maximum, its force applied within the pilot bellows IIE will force rthe incompressible thermal liquid back out of the well |57, into the casing |55, to collapse the bellows |60 against the spring |64. The actual maximum pressure is a function of the force of this spring. This force may .be adjusted by the plug |68. y

The effect of the expulsion of liquid from the pilot well |01 is to cause expansion of that bel- `lows and drive the pilot valve upward, closing the main valve.

The excess inlet pressure may bea result of= excessive demand on the evaporator, sustained overload, or it may be an incident to starting the system against a relatively hot evaporator having high back pressure. In any case, it is controlled by the foregoing means.

The temperature at which the override will close the main valve is determined by the setting of the disc |50, which is graduated to cooperate with the detent |5| as an index. Down-l ward adjustment of the screw Vexpandsthe bel- Y lows |42, expelling more .liquid into the coil,l and ultimately into the well |01, for vany given temperature.

It will be seen thatthe temperature and Vpresi sure overrides are, for allfpractical purposes,A

separately operable, though usingthe same 4con-- v trol and acting singly on.themain-valfve."v `The particular operating range of refrigerant presures is not critical because the'b'ellow's 8 I ,always adjusts itself relative tothe pilot valve'. The

space between the constriction 88v and the pilot valve is always very small, so that changes'in this distance to establish equilibrium conditions v for different pressure ranges are of no 'significance in the throttling of the main valve |N8 The pilot flow is so small relative to operating flow as to have no effect onthe system. When 4the override 'closes the mainl valve completely,

there is preferably no flow. v

The apparatus may be readily assembled. The

' overriding `control does. not. require` extensive modification of any conventional thermal valve, as it may be, in most cases, Aadded merely as an adjunct to the elements of va thermal valve. It

will be seen that stock elements are used to a' large vextent throughout the. apparatus, and a f continuous straight line assemblymay, -inmost cases, be employed.

y What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanism of the kind described, ya housing having an inlet for connection into a fluid line containing fluid under pressure, a main .I to position the valve, comprising a thermally responsive system containing an expansible uid,

an expansible wall in the system, and connected with the valve for moving the same in response Y to 'changes in volume of the expansible fluid.

2. In a mechanism of the kind described, a

' housing having an inlet for connection into a fluid abutment device also adapted to move the main control device, a movable wall for moving the abutment device, said movable wall having enclosed pressure chambers on opposite sides thereof, a fluid ow line connected from the inletV into one chamber and connected from the other to exhaust, a' port between the chambers and moved with the movable wall, a valve adapted to regulate flow through the port, automatic means to position the valve, comprising a flexible wall subjected on one side to the inlet fluid pressure leading to the one pressure chamber, and a thermally responsive system connected into the opposite side of the flexible wall, including a thermally expansible fluid, the thermally responsive system being yieldable to predetermined inlet pressures, acting on the flexible wall in opposition to the pressures' of the thermally expansible fluid.

3. In a mechanism of the kind described, a Vhousing having an inlet for connection into a fluid line containing fluid under pressure, a main k,an vabutment 'device also adapted to move the 'main control device, a movable wall for moving y the 'abutment device, said movable wall having enclosed pressure chambers on opposite sides thereof, a fluid flow line connected from the inlet into one chamber and connected from the other ible wall-subjected o-n one side to the inlet fluid pressure leading to the one pressure chamber, 'a

thermally responsive system connected into the opposite side of the flexible wall, including a thermally expansible fluid that remains substantially incompressible throughout its operating range, and a yieldable expansible chamber inserted li'n'said thermal system and yieldingly applying `a predetermined pressure to the liquid.

4. In a mechanism of the kind described, a

housing having an inlet and an outlet, a thermal valve regulating ow from the inlet to` the outlet,temperature-responsive means to open said valve in response to temperature changes, a

` throttling abutment adapted to engage the valve wall having pressure chambers on opposite sides thereof, a uidflow line connected from the inlet into one chamber and connected from the other 05 to the outlet, a port between the chambers and n moved with the movable wall, a valve adapted to regulate now through the port, and automatic means to position the valve.

5. In a mechanism of the kind described, a thermal valve for use in a refrigeration system between a; high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet, a bellows chamber, an operating bellows in 1 said chamber, positioned to operate the thermal valve and dividing the chamber into a high pressure chamber connected to the inlet and a low ats-gere pressure chamber connected 'to *the outlet a port betweeh the two Vchambers 'and movable with the bellows, a pilot valve disposed near the 'port to `adjust the now therethrough and modify Ythe 'pressuie difference'betweeii lthe 'two chainbeis, a

Y i ot bellows in the high vliesS'i'e chamber 'sub- "tu 'oh one side lto inlet pressure, means hohotiiig'tl'ie pilot bellows to the pilotvalve to ove the saine toward the port upon 'operation of "thebellows'in response to increase 'in 'the pressure in the inlet, a thermal ud on the oppo- 'site 4Side of the bellows, Said thermal fluid, Being "adapted 'to be subj ect'ed to 'the temperatures pr'o- 'duced'by the reirigeration system, the connections between the Ypilot bellows 'and pilot valve being suoli Vt'hatw'hen the 'fluid contracts the plot'valve may move toward'clos'ed position, and the operatbellows may be moved by increased p diiieifences'ac'tin'g o'n it, and -means connected to the operating bellows te 'close thethf'erni'al valve- 'after movement Voi" the Operating bellows 'as aforesaid, a "predetermined amount. f6. A cut-oli 'devioe including 'a J 3ha'nlber oon- Iieo'td to the high pressure Yinletand lw'pfesse outlet of a fluid flow system, 'an operating bel- IWS in the chamberdividingit info an 'nltifs- 'si'l're chamber, and a bellows `chalnber`c`onnected with the outlet, said bellows having va movable lh'eald, a port through the head 'connectihgtlie inlet Chamber with the belloivs Chamber, Va -valve vdisposed adjacent said port to -regulate o'w through the port, said bellows automatically 'di'sposing the port relative to the valveto 'maintain a condition of equilibrium ofthe bellows, a' pilot bellows connected with 'the inlet to b'e'sbjected'-f on'one'sid'e to inletfpr'essure'and on the otheuside being connected with va thermally responsive 'system,'said system including a bulb anda tlifally expansible liquid, a head moved by the pilot vbellows, and leverage means vbetween the pilot bellows head and the pilot valve Vto move thepilot valve upon movement of kthe pilot bellows.

7. A cut-off device including la 4chamber con- Iiec'ted t0 the high pressure inlet :and IW DiS- 'su'r'e outlet of a fluid iiow system, an operating bellows in the chamber 'dividing 'it iht'o` h 'inlet pressure chamber, and a bellows chamber voonnected with the outlet, said'be'llows having-a 'able head, a port through the head coilnecting the inlet chamber with the bellows chamber, a vaive disposed adjacent said port to regulate iiow through the port, said bellows automatically fdisposing the port relative to the valve'to maintain a condition of equilibrium o'ftheb'ellow's, 'a'pil'ot bellows connected with the inletto Abe subjected on one side to inlet pressure and on the otherlside being connected with a thermally responsive system, said system including a bulb and a thermally expansible liquid, a head moved 4by the pilot bellows, and leverage means between lthe pilotb'ellows head and the pilot valve to move the pilot valve upon movement of the pilot bellows, Vsaid leverage being adapted tomovethe pilotvalve toward the port upon decrease in lthe volume of the thermal liquid.

8. In a mechanism of the kind described, for 'use in a refrigeration system,`including a housing having an inlet, andrah'outlet, a thrmalvalve hetween the inlet and the outlet, means toposition the Valve to maintain constant superheat, including temperature-responsive actuating means to move the valve and means responsive to pressures on the outlet side of the valveto move the valve and combined pressure'and tempeatl'iie-res'ponvsive means to move the valve toward closed position in response either to eXcessive inlet pressure or to excessive delivery oi refrigerant, said 'combined means comprising a power unit adapt'edto be moved by the difference between pressures from the inlet and outlet of the main valve, and a pilot control for effecting adjustment of the pressure diiierence of the power unit.

9, In combination with lan expansion valve including a housing, a iluid passage therethrough, an inlet and an outlet connected thereto, a thermal valve and seat controlling flow through the passage, and means for opening and closing the thermal valve, of overriding mechanism for throttling or closing said thermal valve regardless of the demands of its opening and closing means including a movable wall, inner and `outer chambers separated by said wall, said outer chamber being in communication with said inlet, said inner chamber being in communication with said 'inclu-ding -a vjl'iousing, 'a iiuid passage'v there- `through, an inletjand anl'iutletY connected thereto, athe'mal iva'li and seat 'controlling o'w through vthe ipass'ageand'nreans Yfor opening and "closing the thermal ivalve, for loverrifding mechanism Vfor throttlingpfcldsing said "thermal valve regardIeSs'ofthe deni'a'ndsof its 'opening and closing means including a inovableiwall,

inner and outer chambers separated vby said'wall, said outer'charnber-being incominnicationwith said'inlet, said inner 'chamber Lbeingin coinvmunication 'with fsaid outlet, a member lsupported -by said-'wall in position for "engagement with said thermal lvali/"er `adapted 'to vclose ysaid thermal valve upon extreme "movement 'of "said Wall in one` direction, "a'port 'throughgsaid wall communicating said 'inner and `-outer chambers, a 'pilot valve-supported 'in position Torriovement into controlling position Vin respect 'to said port, pressure-'actuated 'means fonmoving'sald pilot 'valve 'operative upon excessive "'pressure -in Vthe inlet, `and A`a thermally "res fusive'systern f or 'initiating movementof said V"' loi'lot'valve operative vupon 'excessive low temperature "occurrence at a predetermined/pom' said pressure-actuated means and said the'rr'iallyies'lnon- 'sive system including in common-1a Ibellowssub- -jected -`internally to the lpressllrein Athe-1i f-of the expansion valve and-being eiiternallychtacted Yby fluid in vthe thermally responsive'fsystem.

'11; A cut-off Idevice `including `I`a "elia-in'bei' connected to the -highfpressurefinlet and low/' sure outletfo'f "a fluid flow jsysteinfanopeiating bellows in thejchalnbendividing it into an inlet pressure chamber, 'anda bellowsbhamber conn'ect'ed with Vthe outlet, :said lbellows Ahai/"ing Va movable head, `a port "through the Yhead f'c'onnecting the inlet fch'anl'ber with the bellows chamber, a valve "disposed 'adjacentsaifdport 'to regulate flow through the'lport, saidbellws :sasso-,eze

connectedwith a thermally responsive system,

saidY system including abulb and a thermally :.-expansible liquid, a V head.mo,v ed by the'H pilot bellows, and leverage, meansfbetweentbe .pilot ,bellows head and the pilot valveto movethe pilot .valve Aupongmovement of thepilot bellows, said `leverage being adapted to move the pilot valve toward the Yport upon decrease .in the volume of the Athermal liquid,V said thermally responsive system also including movable vmeans operative to permit displacement vof'uid upon excessive inlet pressure being applied to the pilot bellows. 12.`In aY valve, a valve'housing;havin'g'an inlet and an outlet, a main valve movable to control ow between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the valve including a chamber subjected to inlet pressure, a pair of movable wall devices in said chamber, each having a movable wall subjected on one side to inlet side pressure in the chamber, restricted means connecting the other side of the rst of said walls to the outlet side of the valve housing, a port at least as large as the restricted means connecting the opposite sides of said rst wall and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by the second movable wall toward and from said port, the other side of the second movable wall having connection to a source of yieldable control pressure.

13. In a valve, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a main valve movable to control low between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the valve including a chamber subjected to inlet pressure, a pair of movable wall devices in said chamber, each having a movable wall subjected on one side to inlet side pressure in the chamber, restricted means connecting the other side of the rst of said walls to the outlet side of the valve housing, a port at least as large as the restricted means connecting the opposite sides of said rst wall and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by the second movable wall toward and from said port, the other side of the second movable Wall having connection to a source of yieldable control pressure, the two movable walls being opposite one another, and oppositely movable in response to changes in inlet pressure so that they approach each other upon fall of such pressure and separate from each other upon rise of such pressure.

14. In a valve, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a main valve movable to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the valve including a chamber subjected to inlet pressure, a pair of movable wall devices in said chamber, each having a movable wall subjected on one side to inlet side pressure in the chamber, restricted means connecting the other side of the first of said walls to the outlet side of the valve housing, a port at least as large as the restricted means connecting the opposite sides of said first wall and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by the second movable wall toward and from said port, the other side of the second movable wall having connection to a source of yieldable control pressure, the two movable walls being opposite one another, and oppositely movable in response to changes in inlet pressure so that they approach each other upon fall of such pressure and separate from each other upon rise of 14 such pressure',' and the pilot-valve .being .mounted between the two walls forlvmovementintheir common line-.of movement, the vpilot valve being mounted for movement independentlyofthe second wall-,land connections between. said wall andi-fthe valve to move the valve inthe direction opposite the direction of movement of the-second wall. i

15. lIn avalve, a vvalve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a` main valve movable to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the (valve including va chamber subjected to inletv pressure, a pairof 'movable'wallldevices in said chamber, eachhaving.` a movable wallsubjected on one `side to inlet Vsidefpressure'v in the chamber, restricted-means -connecting the 'other side of the first 'of fsaidzwalls to the outlet side ofthe valve housing, a vportat least as large as the restricted means connecting the opposite-'sides of said rst wall and movable therewith, aV pilot valve operated by the second movable walltward and from said port, the other side of the second movable Ywall -having connection toa source of yieldable control pressure, the two movable walls being opposite one another, and oppositely movable in response to changes in inlet pressure so that they approach each other upon fall of such pressure and separate from each other upon rise of such pressure, the pilot valve being mounted between the two valves for movement independently of them, yieldable means urging the valve in one direction, lever means rockably engaging the valve and having a fixed fulcrum, and force applying means connecting the lever means and the second wall.

16. In a valve, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a main valve movable to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the valve including a chamber subjected to inlet pressure, a pair of movable wall devices in said chamber, each having a movable wall subjected on one side to inlet side pressure in the chamber, restricted means connecting the other side of the rst of said walls to the outlet side of the valve housing, a port at least as large as the restricted means connecting the opposite sides of said first wall and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by the second movable wall toward and from said port, the other side of the second movable wall having connection to a source of yieldable control pressure, the two movable walls being opposite one another, and oppositely movable in response to changes in inlet pressure so that they approach each other upon fall of such pressure and separate from each other upon rise of such pressure, the pilot valve being mounted between the two valves for movement independently of them, yieldable means urging the valve in one direction, lever means rockably engaging the valve and having a fixed fulcrum, and force applying means connecting the lever means and the second wall, the lever means including a plurality of levers extending outwardly from the valve, and the force applying means including a crosshead moved bythe second movable wall, with contact means from the crosshead to each lever.

17. In a valve, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a main valve movable to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, valve operating means for operating the valve including a chamber subjected to inlet pressure, a pair of movable wall devices in said chamber, each having a movable wall subjected on one side to inlet side pressure in the chamber, restricted means yconnecting .theother side of the Afirst of said walls :to the outletside of .the valve housing, a port at least .as large as the restricted means connecting :the opposite sides of said rst Wall and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by the second movable wall toward andrfromsaid port, theother side of the second movable wall having .connection to a source of yieldable control pressure, the

`,two movable Walls being opposite one another,

and oppositely movable inV response to changes in inlet pressure so that they approachV each other upon fall of vsuch pressure and separate from each other upon rise of such pressure, the source of yieldable control pressure including a lclosed liquid system containingV a thermal liquid, 1:5

an :expansion chamber in the system, and'yieldable means applying a predetermined Apressure to the expansion chamber and hence to the liquid, whereby when inlet pressure exceeds the liquid pressure i-xed by the yieldable means, the second movable wall may be moved in oppositionto the normalfpressure of the thermal liquid.

JOI-IN E. DUBE.V FRANKLIN M. MACDOUGALL. .GEORGE D. BOWER.

The v'followingv references are 'of record in the 'file of this patent. UNrrED STATES PATENTS Number Date y v 463,313 Greatritain Mar. A19,1937 

